Thrive Ministries 2016 Family Conference Lineup

Mike and Renee Pinkerton ~ Saturday Night Session “God is with you: Perspective” Mike and Renee have been married for 38 years and have raised five biological children. From 1987 until 2010 Mike served in the pastoral ministry of a church in urban Portland. During the last 26 years Mike and Renee have been foster parents in Multnomah County. They are currently the legal guardians of a 17 year-old boy and have two foster children ages 14 and 17. As a couple they desire to take their years of experience and deep love for foster children and the families who care for them and create a network of Christian foster and adoptive parents who meet regularly to share their life and faith issues. They also want to encourage others to seek ways to support one another by prayer and encouragement as they serve God and our community in this most critical ministry.

Stephanie Ting ~ Workshop: “Experiencing God’s Goodness - A Servant’s Heart” Stephanie, lives locally and works directly with Thrive Ministries. She possesses a servants heart that impacts the lives of everyone she meets. She has dedicated her life to service and honor. It is displayed in all that she does 24/7. Though here at our conference she does not represent any child welfare agency, she has 9 years experience in this field and is excited to share her heart for those who are in the trenches loving kids from hard places.

Carrie Dahlin ~ Workshop: “Experiencing God’s Goodness - Fostering your relationship with God” Carrie is the author of a foster parenting memoir, What Led Me to You. She also writes for the Fostering Families Today magazine in her column, Spilled Milk, and is a contributing writer for the Portland Mom’s Blog. Carrie has been doing foster care for the last six years with her husband Jeff and their six children. She is passionate about encouraging foster parents to get the support they need to continue in this ministry.

Dan Hermann ~ “Experiencing God’s Goodness - A Father’s Heart” Dan is co-founder of Thrive Ministries and is an all around “do it all” father, husband and friend! He has worked in Children's ministry for 15 plus years and has a heart to see all children grow to learn more about Jesus. He is passionate about serving and caring for others. Recently Dan has stepped out of the every day workforce and has stepped out in faith into full time ministry working for Thrive and caring for his family of 10!

Summer Hermann ~ Workshop: “Experiencing God’s Goodness - On the Unexpected Road” Summer is co-founder of Thrive Ministries along with her husband Dan and their 8 children, both bio, foster and soon to be adopted! She has been involved in both women’s worship and children’s ministries for close to 15 years. She and her husband enjoy raising their kids, 4 of whom experience special needs, and reaching out into the community through Thrive.

Becky Fowler ~ Workshop: “Experiencing God’s Goodness - On the Unexpected Road” Becky and her husband Robbie have been married for nearly 22 years. Leaving a business career behind, she has dedicated her life to God through serving her husband and 3 boys. She has 18 years of experiencing the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs. Becky has also seen how God can powerfully use a special needs child on the mission field in a third world nation.

Isaac Hermann ~ Workshop: “A Brother’s Heart” Isaac, the oldest son of Dan and Summer and sibling of the “Hermann crew” has had quite the journey since his parents started fostering. He has walked beside his brother who was diagnosed with Down’s syndrome at birth. He has experienced all the typical feelings, anger, and frustration and worry over the changing circumstances of his family. He is looking forward to sharing how the Lord has brought him full circle from fear to surrender and then to Joy! ** This is a special workshop for kids 10 and up.